Copenhagen, with its colorful buildings, fabulous food scene, and laid-back atmosphere, is a great city to visit on a European tour. We’ve been twice, first for a two-day tour of the city, and again on a quick layover between a flight from New York to Rome.
This itinerary is curated from both of those trips, so you can experience the best of Copenhagen in one day without spending hours researching or planning it yourself. You’ll have just enough time to bike around the city, stroll through charming Nyhavn, sample some local cuisine, and visit a museum or castle. And if you’re here with kids, they will love a visit to Tivoli Gardens, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world.
One Day in Copenhagen: The Essentials
IDEAL START TIME | 8 am
GETTING AROUND | Bicycle or on foot + public transportation
BIKE RENTAL LOCATION | Near Nyhavn
TOP HIGHLIGHTS | The Little Mermaid, Nyhavn, Tivoli Gardens, Torvehallerne, Church of Our Savior
AVOID VISITING ON | Mondays (most museums closed)
BEST TIME TO VISIT | May to September
July 2026 Update: We added guidance on which reservations to make in advance and Amalienborg Palace Museum as a new morning option. Also refreshed our restaurant, bike rental, and Freetown Christiania information to reflect recent changes in the city.
Is One Day in Copenhagen Enough?
Yes, if you follow this itinerary, one day is enough to hit Copenhagen’s best highlights and get a genuine feel for the city. In fact, this itinerary is built from our own two-day visit, condensed down to the things we’d prioritize if we only had one day to do it again.
That said, if you have two or more days, you’ll have room to slow down and add a few more experiences: spend more time in Freetown Christiania rather than just passing through, add a day trip to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art or the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, or simply wander neighborhoods like Nørrebro and Vesterbro that don’t make it into a single-day itinerary. But if a single day in Copenhagen is all you have, this itinerary makes sure you don’t miss what matters most.
One Day in Copenhagen
Copenhagen is a large city but for visitors the main sites are located in the historic city center. You can get around by walking and public transport, but for our perfect day in Copenhagen, we recommend getting around by bicycle. It’s cheap, it’s fun, and you’ll feel more like a local.
How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left corner of the map to see a list of the points of interest and to turn layers on/off. Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest.
To take this map with you, click the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Next, within your Google Maps app, select ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.
8 am: Breakfast
Start the day off with a Danish style breakfast: coffee, rye bread with cheese, jam, or salmon, or a pastry. Oatmeal, porridge, and eggs are also common breakfast foods.
A few good breakfast spots near Nyhavn that open early include Ø12 Coffee & Eatery (Silkegade 1, a short walk from Kongens Nytorv station) and BUKA (a short walk from Nyhavn). Both open by 7:30 am, perfect for early risers and those in need of a shot of coffee.
9 am: Rent a Bicycle for the Day
Where: At or near Nyhavn
With one day in Copenhagen, the most efficient (and the most fun) way to get around the city is by bicycle. With designated bicycle lanes and traffic lights, getting around Copenhagen is safe and easy. We did this on our visit. Our kids loved it, but it didn’t beat a few hours at Tivoli Gardens.

At Amalienborg Palace
Renting from a bike shop: There are numerous bike shops in town. Who you choose depends on your starting point in the city. We used Copenhagen Bicycles, located in Nyhavn. For the convenience of following this itinerary, we recommend renting bikes near Nyhavn. For a list of the bicycle shops in Copenhagen, click here.
Since you’ll already be in Nyhavn to pick up your bike, take a few minutes to snap photos before you set off. Nyhavn is at its quietest in the morning, before the crowds and the evening drinks-and-dinner rush arrive. You’ll get a much clearer shot of the colorful buildings now than you will later at 5 pm, when we come back here to actually slow down and explore.
Copenhagen also has a public bike share system, Donkey Republic. Unlike renting from a shop, you unlock bikes directly through the app and can pick up or drop off at hubs around the city rather than sticking to one location’s hours. Download the app, set up an account, and you’re ready to go. Get all of the details here.
If you are traveling with kids, renting from a bike shop is your best bet since they offer kid-sized bikes and bikes for families. The public bike share program works best for adults and teenagers.
If you don’t want to rent a bike for the full day, you also have the option to take a 2-hour E-Bike tour of the city.
9:30 am: The Little Mermaid
Start off by biking to the Little Mermaid Statue (also called Den Lille Havfrue), a bronze statue inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale by the same name. Sure, this is Copenhagen’s most touristy thing to do, but it’s worth a quick visit. By getting here early in the day you will miss the huge crowds that tend to gather midday.

If you start at or near Nyhavn, cycle along the waterfront on Larsens Place to get to the Little Mermaid Statue (2 km, 10 minutes). This is an easy spot to ride a bike, the perfect place to refresh your bike handling skills, especially if it’s been a little while since you have done something like this. Also, by taking this route, you will avoid the city streets and have a nice view of the harbor.
This is also your best chance to see Amalienborg Palace, the residence of the royal family. You can make a quick detour and cycle through this complex of four palaces on your way to the Little Mermaid Statue.
10 am: Take Your Pick: Museum, Castle, or Palace?
Spend the rest of the morning at one of Copenhagen’s top museums, Rosenborg Castle, or Amalienborg Palace.
Designmuseum Danmark
This is not your typical museum. Learn about the history of Danish design and decorative arts. This museum is perfect for interior designers and those with an interest in design.
Best For: Design lovers and anyone with an interest in Danish interiors and decorative arts.
Location: Bredgade 68, between Kastellet and Amalienborg Palace
Website: Get pricing and hours on the official website
Rosenborg Castle
This 400-year old castle is located in the King’s Garden. Tour the castle, visit the Great Hall, and see the crown jewels.
Best For: First-time visitors who want one solid dose of royal history, including the crown jewels.
Location: King’s Garden
Website: Get pricing and hours here
The David Collection
This is an amazing collection of Islamic art, early Danish art, and European art from the 18th and 19th centuries. It’s located next to the Rosenborg Castle, so you can pedal by Rosenborg Castle and then visit this museum.
Best For: Art lovers who want a world-class collection without paying admission.
Cost: Free!
The National Museum of Denmark
This is the place to immerse yourself in Danish culture and history. It’s an extensive, detailed museum and perfect for those with an interest in history.
Best For: Travelers who want a deeper dive into Danish history and culture than a quick museum stop.
Website: Get pricing and hours on the official website
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
This is Scandinavia’s largest art museum. Tour the gorgeous buildings and enjoy Denmark’s largest collection of French Impressionist paintings, as well as Greek, Etruscan, and Egyptian artwork.
This museum is the furthest away from The Little Mermaid statue, but for art lovers it’s worth the extra pedaling to get here.
Best For: Art lovers, especially fans of French Impressionism, ancient Egyptian, and classical art.
Website: Get pricing and hours on the official website
Amalienborg Palace Museum
Rather than just cycling past, you can go inside Christian VIII’s Palace at Amalienborg and tour the royal apartments, including the ornate Gala Hall still used for state occasions today. Since you’ll already be right here after visiting the Little Mermaid, this is the most convenient pick of the bunch if you don’t want to backtrack into the city center.
Bonus: the daily Changing of the Guard takes place around noon at the palace square, so if you visit a little later in the morning, you may catch the ceremony on your way out.
Best For: Anyone who wants to go inside a still-in-use royal residence, especially if timed to catch the Changing of the Guard.
Location: Amalienborg Slotsplads, between Kastellet and Nyhavn
Website: Get pricing and hours on the Visit Copenhagen website
12:00 pm: Lunch at Torvehallerne
Hopefully you have worked up a good appetite because now it’s time to explore one of Copenhagen’s best food halls. Torvehallerne is filled with food stalls selling fish, produce, and bread. This is a great place to sample some of Denmark’s most popular foods.
While you are here, try smørrebrød. Smørrebrød is rye bread with butter and topped with a variety of ingredients, including pickled herring, fresh fish, cold cuts, thin slices of cheese, boiled eggs, or pork-liver pate. Think of it as an open-faced sandwich, Danish-style. One of the best places in Torvehallerne is Hallernes Smørrebrød.
1 pm: The Round Tower, Stroget, and the Center of Copenhagen
Spend the early afternoon cycling around the center of Copenhagen, between Torvehallerne and the harbor.
You can climb the Round Tower (Rundetaarn) for a good view over the city. To get to the top, you walk up a spiral ramp rather than taking endless flights of stairs.



Later in the day, you will have the option to climb the bell tower of the Church of Our Savior. If you think you will only have the energy for one climb, you might want to wait. In our opinion, the view from the top of the Church of Our Savior is better than the Round Tower.
Website: rundetaarn.dk
After the Round Tower, cycle towards the Stroget. The Stroget is 1 km pedestrian shopping street that runs through the heart of Copenhagen. Riding your bike down Stroget will be frowned upon, so park your bike nearby and go for a stroll.
The Stroget runs from City Hall in the west to Kongens Nytorv in the east. Strolling the Stroget gets a lot of hype, so expect to join the crowds here.

3 pm: Christianshavn and Church of Our Savior (Vor Frelsers Kirke)
Hop back on your bike and cross over the harbor into Christianshavn. This is a wonderful area of Copenhagen to explore by bicycle or by foot. This neighborhood was once a working class neighborhood. Now, it’s a trendy part of Copenhagen with homes, shops, cafes, and canals. Spend some time exploring, but save time to visit the Church of Our Savior.
Seeing the inside of the Church of Our Savior is worthwhile but the real reason to visit it is to climb the tower. After ascending a series of interior staircases (the last one is very steep), you step outside and get to enjoy an amazing view of Copenhagen. From here, there is one last outdoor spiral staircase to climb. As it winds its way up, you get 360° views of Copenhagen. This was our favorite view of the city.


Book your timed entry slot in advance. Because the tower’s staircases are narrow and capacity is limited, the Church of Our Savior only lets a set number of people up at a time. Reserve your spot online before you go, especially if you’re visiting in peak season. Same-day slots can fill up, and access is also suspended during rain, snow, or strong winds, so it’s worth having a backup plan if the forecast looks rough. The tower is also closed entirely in January.
Get pricing and hours on the official website.
5 pm: Nyhavn
Cycle over to Nyhavn, return your bikes, and take your time walking along the waterfront. You caught a quick photo here this morning before the crowds arrived. Now it’s time to actually slow down and enjoy Copenhagen’s most iconic spot.

You have the option to have dinner here. In our experience, the restaurants in Nyhavn are overpriced and the food is mediocre (we have eaten here on two different occasions on two different trips to Copenhagen). The food may not be the best but the setting is unbeatable. We loved sitting outside, enjoying the view, and watching people stroll by and boats come and go.
If you want the best of both worlds, grab a table, have a drink, and enjoy the atmosphere. It’s still a bit early for dinner, anyway. Once you had your fill of Nyhavn, you can continue your tour of Copenhagen.
6:30 pm: Gourmet Dinner or Tivoli Gardens
Once again, I am giving you a choice. Either end the day with a gourmet meal or by getting your thrill on at Tivoli Gardens.
There are more Michelin starred restaurants in Copenhagen than in any other city in Europe. For some travelers, that’s a big deal. If you want to end your visit to Copenhagen with an unforgettable meal, you have plenty of restaurants to choose from.

Noma, one of the most influential restaurants in modern gastronomy, closed its original format at the end of 2024 to reinvent itself as a food lab. It’s returning to Copenhagen on August 5, 2026, with an entirely new concept. Rather than the old three-season menu, each month will now feature its own distinct menu. Reservations are famously hard to come by, so check noma.dk well in advance if you want to try for a table.
Copenhagen now has three restaurants holding Michelin’s highest honor, three stars: Geranium, Kadeau, and Jordnær. Geranium was the first in Copenhagen to reach three stars; Kadeau, known for its focus on ingredients from the island of Bornholm, joined them in 2026. The Alchemist, with two Michelin stars and 5th on the World’s 50 Best restaurants in 2026, is another excellent choice for a dining experience unlike any other.
For more information on Michelin-starred restaurants in Copenhagen, visit the Visit Copenhagen website. If you plan on dining at one of these restaurants, make your reservation as far in advance as possible.
Another option for dinner is Ravelinen. It’s not a Michelin-starred restaurant but it is a great place for traditional Danish food. It can be a little hard to find. To get here, we took the metro to the Christianshavn station then walked down Torvegade away from the city center. Torvegade crosses over a body of water and the restaurant is located off to the left on a tiny island.
Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli Gardens is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world (the oldest, Bakken, is also in Denmark). You don’t have to be an adrenaline junkie to enjoy a visit here. It’s a beautiful park, with gardens, restaurants, an outdoor beer garden (in the summer), and of course, thrill rides.
On our first visit to Copenhagen, we had two days in the city. We dedicated a full afternoon to Tivoli, since we were traveling with kids. It’s a beautiful amusement park with a wide range of rides and was the highlight of our visit to Copenhagen for Tyler and Kara. If you will be in Copenhagen with kids, it’s worth considering altering this itinerary to spend more time in Tivoli and less time in museums and climbing towers.



You can purchase an entrance ticket and pay for rides individually (best option if you only plan on riding a few) or purchase the unlimited rides ticket (best for kids, families, and those who plan on riding the rest of the day).
Tivoli Gardens is open year round. However, during the winter months, many of the rides are closed, so purchasing the unlimited ride pass is a waste of money. However, Tivoli Gardens is still worth a visit in the winter. The park is beautiful, with winter decorations, millions of lights, and snow on the ground.
Website: Get pricing and hours on the official website.
With More Time
Freetown Christiania
Freetown Christiania is an autonomous neighborhood in Copenhagen, settled by hippies in 1971. Since that time, the residents have established their own set of rules and remained largely independent of the Danish government.
For decades, Christiania’s Pusher Street was known for its open cannabis trade, but after a string of gang-related violence, residents and police dismantled it together in 2024. The neighborhood has calmed down considerably since, and photography, once strictly forbidden throughout, is now generally allowed in most areas.
There is still a different vibe here than other neighborhoods in Copenhagen. Wander among the small, colorful buildings covered with graffiti and murals, have a meal at one of the cafes, and go shopping at the art galleries. You could spend a few hours strolling through the neighborhood or zip through it on a bike.
Walking Tour of Copenhagen
If you like the idea of taking a tour of Copenhagen, here are several options to consider.
Walking Tours of Copenhagen
Which Reservations to Make in Advance
Most of this itinerary can be done spontaneously, but a few things are worth booking ahead, especially if you’re visiting in peak season (May–September):
- Dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant (Noma, Geranium, Kadeau, Jordnær, or the Alchemist): book months ahead. These are some of the hardest reservations to get in Europe.
- Bike rental — in summer, popular shops near Nyhavn can sell out of family or kid-sized bikes by mid-morning. Reserve online the day before if you can.
- The canal cruise — tickets are timed and sell out on busy summer days; book a spot before you arrive.
- Rosenborg Castle — buying a timed ticket online in advance lets you skip the ticket line, though it’s rarely sold out.
- The Church of Our Savior – Timed entry slots are limited and booking in advance ensures you get the date and time you want.
Copenhagen with Kids
If you are visiting Copenhagen with kids, consider modifying this itinerary. The things Tyler and Kara enjoyed the most were riding bikes through Copenhagen, seeing the colorful buildings at Nyhavn, climbing the bell tower of the Church of Our Savior, and of course, riding the rides at Tivoli Gardens.
In the morning, rent bikes and see The Little Mermaid Statue. Skip the museums, spend some time cycling through the city center of Copenhagen, and visit the Church of Our Savior in Christianshavn. Then, end the day at Tivoli Gardens.
If you are looking for a fun spot to ride bikes, there is a grid of cobblestoned streets lined with orange buildings and red shutters. It’s a jarring, bumpy ride but Tyler and Kara loved it here. Cycling these streets was one of the highlights for them, maybe almost as good as Tivoli Gardens. We just happened to stumble across this neighborhood as we were exploring Copenhagen.


Location: between Kastellet and King’s Garden, these photos were taken on Suensonsgade.
Getting to Copenhagen
By Plane. Flights arrive into Copenhagen Airport (Kobenhavns Lufthavn). Getting to the city center is fast and easy: simply take the metro to Kongens Nytorv (the closest metro stop to Nyhavn, 10 minutes by metro).
By Train. Copenhagen’s main train station is Kobenhavn H, located next to Tivoli Gardens. If you are in Copenhagen just for the day, you can store your luggage at the train station while you tour the city. To get to the city center, you can walk or use the buses or trains (S-tog) to save some steps.
By Cruise. Cruise ships do not dock directly in the heart of Copenhagen. To get into the city center, you can take a shuttle (provided by some cruise lines), bus #26, or the S-tog train. It takes approximately 30 minutes to travel from the cruise docks to the city center.
How to Get Around Copenhagen
The best way to get around Copenhagen is by bicycle (details covered earlier in this post).
But what if you don’t like the idea of cycling around Copenhagen? Fortunately, Copenhagen also has an efficient public transportation network.
You can use the network of trains (S-tog), the metro, and buses to get anywhere in the city. If you plan on using public transportation several times during your stay, your best bet is to purchase the City Pass for 24 hours. This pass gives you unlimited rides on the bus, trains, and metro in the city center and to/from the airport. Click here for full details on the City Pass and how to order it online.
Taxi’s are available if you need them for a short hop or to get to a place that is difficult to reach with public transportation.
Should You Buy the Copenhagen Card?
The Copenhagen Card is a pre-purchased card that gets you free admission into most sites in Copenhagen, as well as free transportation in the city. If you follow this one day in Copenhagen itinerary and visit Rosenborg Castle, the Round Tower, Church of Our Savior, Amalienborg Museum, and Tivoli Gardens, plus purchase a 24 hour City Pass, you would break even with the Copenhagen Card. If you skip one of these attractions or visit the David Collection (free!), then the Copenhagen Card is not worth it.
The Copenhagen Card covers your entry into Tivoli Gardens but it does not cover the unlimited rides pass.
If you want to learn more about the Copenhagen Card, click here.
Tips for Visiting Copenhagen
Many Museums are Closed on Mondays
Try to avoid visiting Copenhagen on a Monday if you only have one day in the city, especially if visiting the museums are important to you.
Is the Canal Cruise Worth It?
We took the canal cruise on our first visit to Copenhagen. It lasts about an hour and it’s a nice way to see the canals and the harbor. You get to see The Little Mermaid Statue from a distance.
Cycling (or walking) through the streets was a much better way to see Copenhagen, in our opinion. However, if you’re tired and just want a relaxing activity at the end of the day, a canal cruise is a nice way to chill out and watch the city glide by.
Book your tickets in advance with this 1 hour canal cruise.

When to Go to Copenhagen
From May to September, temperatures are warm, the skies are clear, and the days are long. This is also peak season, so travel costs and crowd levels will be higher. The winter months are cold and dark but have fewer visitors. The spring and fall seasons are wonderful times to visit if you want to avoid the crowds.
Where to Stay
UPSCALE: Nimb Hotel. Stay in Tivoli Gardens at this upscale hotel. Rooms range from double rooms to suites making this a good choice for families who want to stay near Tivoli Gardens.
UPSCALE: 71 Nyhavn Hotel. Located right in Nyhavn, it’s hard to beat this location. The hotel is an old warehouse that has been converted into a boutique hotel. Rooms are a bit small but feature exposed beams and modern furnishings. They offer rooms that can accommodate up to four people.
MID-RANGE: Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers. This is where we stayed and had a great experience. This hotel is located near the airport. In just 10 minutes, you can be standing in the city center of Copenhagen (by taking the metro). The rooms are large, clean, and quiet. If you are just visiting Copenhagen for one day and arriving and/or departing by plane, the Crowne Plaza is one of the most convenient hotels to stay in.
BUDGET: Next House. Located just outside of the city center, this hostel is clean and comfortable with a friendly atmosphere. It gets thousands of very good reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best way to get around Copenhagen in one day?
By bicycle. Copenhagen has dedicated bike lanes throughout the city, and it’s the fastest way to cover the ground this itinerary requires. Public transit and walking are good backups if you’d rather not cycle.
Is the Copenhagen Card worth it for one day?
It depends on how many paid attractions you visit. If you follow this itinerary and visit Rosenborg Castle, the Round Tower, Church of Our Savior, Amalienborg Museum, and Tivoli Gardens, plus a City Pass for transit, you’ll roughly break even. Visiting fewer paid sites makes it not worth it.
Is Copenhagen a good city to visit with kids?
Yes. Biking through the city, seeing the colorful buildings at Nyhavn, and riding the rides at Tivoli Gardens are consistently the highlights for kids on this itinerary.
Do you have to visit Tivoli Gardens at night?
No, but it’s worth considering. Tivoli is at its best after dark, when the park lights up, so ending your day there (or with a Michelin-starred dinner instead) is the most common way to close out a day in Copenhagen.
Plan Your Trip to Europe
- Have less time in Copenhagen than a full day? → Our Making the Best of a Layover in Copenhagen guide covers what to do with 5, 6, or 8 hours between flights.
- Exploring more of Denmark? → Our Denmark Travel Guide covers where else to go beyond Copenhagen.
- Continuing on to Scandinavia? → Our One Perfect Day in Stockholm guide covers another great one-day city itinerary and our Best Things to Do in Norway covers what to do from Svalbard to the Lofoten Islands to the southern fjords.
- Building a longer European trip? → Our One Week in Europe Itinerary covers 25 different ways to spend 7 days in Europe.
- First time traveling to Europe? → Our How to Plan Your First Trip to Europe guide covers everything you need to know before you go.
If you have any questions about how to spend one day in Copenhagen, let us know in the comment section below.
Where are You Going Next?
If you plan to continue your tour of Scandinavia or Europe, check these out:



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